Adding hydrofoil stabilizer on a 28' Bayliner Contessa

[cobra94r]

Adding hydrofoil stabilizer on a 28\' Bayliner Contessa

Hello all!! I am new to the forums and have what may be a stupid question. So... please bear with me... lol.
I am fairly new to boating. I bought a 28' Bayliner Contessa in October.

Since it is a pretty heavy boat and my family and I will probably have a significant amount of weight on it most of the time. Would it be worth adding a hydrofoil stablizer on it. The boat ALREADY has trim tabs on it. I am just looking for something that may help me get on plane a little sooner.

My brother.. (who doesn't have much more experience than myself) swears that I should invest in one. Although the cost is not an issue.... I would just hate to install one only to find that it was a waste of time and money. The marina is dropping it in the water this week so... I would like to install it before they do so.

Its primary use is crusing... the majority of the time it would be at cruising speeds.

Thank all of you for your time and input!!!

 

[RobWales]

Re: Adding hydrofoil stabilizer on a 28\' Bayliner Contessa

Hi

Need to know what engine and leg you have before giving my opinion?
And suuggest you register here........................
http://www.baylinerownersclub.org/forum/

Thanks
Rob

 

[cobra94r]

Re: Adding hydrofoil stabilizer on a 28\' Bayliner Contessa

It is a single screw Chevy Based 350 / 5.7L w/ a Volvo Penta 280 O/D.

Thanks for your response!!
Tom

 

[enterprise]

Re: Adding hydrofoil stabilizer on a 28\' Bayliner Contessa

I should be very carefull, have heard of problems with broken outdrives due to the stress exerted on the small attatchment area.
The fins you describe are for speedboats hoping to improve holeshot performance & are not designed to suport excessive weight.

 

[duncan]

Re: Adding hydrofoil stabilizer on a 28\' Bayliner Contessa

personally I wouldn't as you have trim tabs and powertrim on the drive already.

answer yourself this one question ...."why doesn't the manufacturer fit them as standard.............?"

 

[cobra94r]

Re: Adding hydrofoil stabilizer on a 28\' Bayliner Contessa

Thank you for your input and advise!! It is greatly appreciated! Hope you have a great boating season!!

All the best...
Tom

 

[Peanuts]

Re: Adding hydrofoil stabilizer on a 28\' Bayliner Contessa

Hi
You mention that the O/D is a 280, you cannot use the tilt on this leg to trim the boat as it is an electro-mechanical tilting device purely to be use to lift the O/D, for example to prior to putting boat on a trailer

 

[cobra94r]

Re: Adding hydrofoil stabilizer on a 28\' Bayliner Contessa

Good Point... you are correct. It is either up or down. I get a warning light on my dash if it is ANYTHING other than completely down.

Thanks!

 

[duncan]

Re: Adding hydrofoil stabilizer on a 28\' Bayliner Contessa

sorry for misleading on that.........